Satch’s perhaps the most resourceful dog on the planet. His legs are fast, his nose is keen, his mind is set, but the world has grown too complicated for a dog even as well-equipped as Satch. His owners got lost and he does not know how to find them in this never-ending maze of smells and sounds.
Thankfully, he stumbled upon Neal. He will know what to do.
When I am angry and frustrated with the world (politics, wild fires, injustice, etc.) I seem to be drawn to drawing raptors. The first one is today's sketch, the other two are from former days.
Blackwing pencil and woodless B4 pencil on Canson sketch paper.
The things pulling me down seem so huge - cancer treatments, empty nest, COVID, depression, and big world problems. It's amazing how small things, a wren, a breeze, a smile, a bud, a furry friend, can lighten the load.
"If you're a goblin in need of a smoke, you know where to go" Part of a series I've started with monsters in the modern world, this is the digital work I've liked the most so far, but I'd appreciate feedback on anything I could improve on.
An article/rant/annotation to an illustration. A #Hackney bar and its flies.
This picture is not as sad and blue as it might at first seem, I promise.
It is early in the week and the pub becomes the territory of the most outspoken drinkers. Raised somewhere between Churchill and Harold MacMillan, a night such as this is time for them to spin out a yarn of nostalgic fantasy. Encouraged by the lack of a crowd and with space to fill, statements start to fly.
In the opening rounds the barman athletically hits back with factual blocks and reality-check haymakers; statistics and personal experiences are given. Two histories cross examined, one where 1982 means Thatcher and the Falklands, the other renders Reagan and the AIDS crisis. Stoicism and national pride vs mental health and realism.
In the latter rounds the barman is fatigued, swaying on the backbar, glasses begin to stack up as form begins to drop. The older men seem stronger than ever.
The barflies come in close now, they scrutinise his generations work ethic and make wild political comments on poverty, immigrants and the minimum wage.
The barman is close to sheer bloody despair, he maintains his defence and focuses on breathing while maintaining his professional stance.
But at the end of the night the barman knows HE will ring that bell, they will politely leave and they will return again in a week and maybe, just maybe there will be a change, common ground or maybe at least polite silence.
But what these interactions have given despite the salt in the eye is community and an exchange between generations, culture and class of those participating. No home is ever straight forward, no relative without their good and bad traits and in a world where we often slide into echo chambers online or in our physical environments, the pub is still a place where society is family, face to face, pint to pint. Or maybe it's just a room with alcohol on tap?
My work is influenced by the American illustrators of the 1960s and 70s, as well as comic art from around the world. Please get in touch to discuss your latest project and how I can help.
Recently, I was asked to illustrate the Discworld as imagined in Terry Prachett's work. The illustration (24 "X 24") was printed on a self-adhesive vinyl and applied to the mandator's car.
When Rebelle 3 by Escape Motions came out I wanted to create something that really shows off its power. I normally draw in fountain pen first, but this was created entirely from scratch in Rebelle 3.
Digital art tends to be cold and impersonal, but Rebelle's watercolor simulation looks & feels like real paint... and you can undo! That's critical for illustration work, as clients often request changes... But even for personal work- it means an artist can achieve a watercolor look without being at the mercy of the medium. So the result is more true to his or her vision.
An artist and her inner world of self doubt and the highs and lows of pursuing her passion. Negative thoughts that appear to be real low vibe entities pressure her but still she believes in her dream.
I was or still am about putting this character on my DA. This is Echo, she is very dear to me. I started her over a year ago and have been working on her design. She belongs to me all rights are mine, she is mine. I wanted to share her with the world. I have another picture I'm working on at the moment. I'm trying hard to work on body types and background images.
Finally done! Oh, wow. This took over 3 hours... and now it's done! "Ah, the world is so much more vibrant.... and this pizza--- is still... very old." Drawn with FireAlpaca. Eat your heart out, Jester!
Life is hard enough already without anyone else having a say in it. But when you are judged by the world so constantly, you learn to shut yourself out... you fake a smile, but deep down inside you just wanted to be appreciated...
